A NEW YEAR, A NEW ERA AND A WISH FOR JIM

[do it 4 robbie 1]

Jack Grimes named as midfielder, good stuff. Is that a first.

[Carn dees 108]

a lot of players dont play were there named, but i hope he does play there.

[45HG 1,559]

It's not a first

[alpha33 325]

It's not a first

WC with no Cox, no Kerr, an immature ruck and midfield and playing away from home. It's a no brainer.

Melbourne to win at last (and by at least 5 goals)!

[titan_uranus 25,050]

Why the heck is Wheatley in when Cheney remains at Casey? Stupid decision. Wheatley's form at Casey has been barely average anyway.

Miller, Johnson, Whelan all dropped. Not good signs for any of them. But the right decision has been made in each case. Robertson is lucky to still be in the team however.

We can afford one ruckman this week as West Coast is still playing only Naitanui. Jamar really should dominate in the hit outs.

Pity Watts is out. Not sure if I should believe the (ill) next to his name.

[Bates Mate 4,511]

Pity Watts is out. Not sure if I should believe the (ill) next to his name.

Whilst I can't confirm the illness I can confirm it is not leather poisoning

[Carn dees 108]

He had gastro and didnt train this week.

[wattsup 470]

anyone read the preview on afl website who does this crap surely they should at least get the ins and outs right

Where and when: MCG, Saturday, July 4, 2.10pm AEST

Head to head: Melbourne 14 wins, West Coast 24 wins

Last time: West Coast 12.18 (90) d Melbourne 13.4 (82), round seven, 2009, at Subiaco

MISSING IN ACTION

Melbourne

Mark Jamar (quad) - test

James McDonald (knee) - test

Jake Spencer (ankle) - 1-2 week

Tom McNamara (hip) - 2 weeks

Simon Buckley (groin) - 2 weeks

Rhys Healey (quad) - 3 weeks

Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) - 3-4 weeks

John Meesen (foot) - indefinite

Colin Garland (foot) - indefinite

Sam Blease (leg) - indefinite

West Coast

Dean Cox (groin) - test

Adam Hunter (shoulder) - test

Mark Nicoski (back) - test

Beau Wilkes (concussion) - test

Jordan Jones (hamstring) - 2-3 weeks

Brent Staker (finger) - 5 weeks

Luke Shuey (fractured fibula) - 5-7 weeks

Beau Waters (elbow) - season

FORM

Melbourne: LLLLL

West Coast: LLLLW

SUMMARY

The clash between two of the league’s struggling teams should make for compelling viewing on Saturday afternoon, if only for the fact that one of Melbourne or West Coast should come away with a rare victory.

Melbourne won their most recent clash at the MCG by 34 points in round 20 last year but the Eagles will enter Saturday’s fixture as favourites after a stirring win against Hawthorn last weekend.

Despite their 4-9 record after 13 rounds, West Coast has been competitive for large parts of their past six games – a 41-point loss against Carlton notwithstanding.

However, it’s a different story for the Demons. Pundits were singing Melbourne’s praises earlier in the season after a string of gutsy, losing efforts against the likes of the Western Bulldogs and the Eagles at Subiaco, but those days seem a long time ago now.

The Dees have lost their past three games by an average of more than 50 points and fans are desperate to see some signs of life against West Coast.

Adding some spice to the contest is the fact that an Eagles win would be their fifth of the season, barring them from receiving a priority draft selection before the first round. It would leave the door open for Melbourne to take the nation’s two best youngsters at this year’s draft.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jack Watts (Melbourne)

The No.1 selection from the 2008 draft, Watts has had a torrid start to his career. A Queen’s Birthday hiding from Collingwood on debut was followed by a night against Essendon’s champion full-back Dustin Fletcher. He struggled for touches against the Lions as the Melbourne midfield was smashed by the Brisbane Lions but he showed some glimpses when the ball did come his way. Watts and his Demons mates will be hoping for an easier time against the Eagles.

Nic Naitanui (West Coast)

Taken one pick later than Watts at last year’s draft, Naitanui lived up to the hype with a super final term against Hawthorn last weekend. Three match-winning goals, created by some remarkable athleticism, made up for what was a quiet night until the last break. Naitanui should enjoy his first senior game at the MCG against Melbourne’s painfully thin ruck stocks.

QUESTION MARKS

Can the Demons show something – anything – to give their supporters some hope after a torrid month? They won’t have a better chance than Saturday’s game on their home ground against a fellow struggler.

Are the Eagles on the up? Coach John Worsfold signed a two-year contract extension last week and his young side responded with a stirring win against the reigning premier. Another victory would deliver even more confidence to the developing West Coast side.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

There’s no doubt that Melbourne plays its best football at the MCG but on recent form, it’s hard to see Dean Bailey’s side improving enough to account for the Eagles.

Even with a cloud over ruckman Dean Cox’s fitness, West Coast’s top-end talent is superior to Melbourne’s and the likes of Daniel Kerr, Darren Glass and Mark LeCras should tip the balance in the Eagles’ favour.

PREDICTION

West Coast by 12 points